Former Washington football coach Jim Lambright charged with assault

Former Washington football coach Jim Lambright has been charged with fourth-degree assault/domestic violence in connection with an incident involving his 23-year-old granddaughter last month, according to Snohomish County court documents.

His arraignment is scheduled for Aug. 4 at Evergreen District Court in Monroe. The Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office said that as of Thursday no attorney had given notice of appearing on his behalf.

Lambright, 72, was arrested at 10:10 p.m. on June 18 at his Snohomish-area home. He was released on his personal recognizance the next day.

According to a probable-cause statement written by a responding Snohomish County sheriff’s deputy, a relative called 911 to report an assault at the family home in the 16000 block of 57th Avenue Southeast.

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Responding Snohomish County sheriff’s deputies were met outside the home by three women and an elderly man. The man, identified in the statement as Lambright, said he was “frustrated” that his granddaughters were visiting and was “sick of their attitude,” the statement said. He said he had asked one of his granddaughters to leave, but she refused.

“Lambright stated that he had grabbed his granddaughter by the arms to force her out of the residence. He stated she was not harmed, and did not understand why we were being called,” the probable-cause statement read.

The 23-year-old granddaughter told deputies that Lambright yelled at her while she was there visiting her father. She said Lambright grabbed her arms, yanking her down to the floor. He then dragged her five feet before she managed to escape and run outside to call for help.

Lambright’s wife, Lynne, told authorities that her husband suffers from dementia and “explosive disorder,” the statement said. She said his medical condition is worsening.

Lambright’s wife and the two granddaughters requested a no-contact order be issued, saying they felt threatened by his “escalating level of aggression,” the deputy wrote.

The charge was filed June 30.

Lambright, an Everett native, spent more time in the UW football program as a player, assistant coach and head coach than any person in the program’s history, participating in 386 games. As a defensive end, he earned all-conference accolades as a senior in 1964.

He took over as head coach in 1993 after Don James unexpectedly resigned. Lambright guided the Huskies to a 44-25-1 record in six seasons. He led the Huskies through a two-year probation and to a share of the Pac-10 championship in 1995.

The past few years, Lambright worked as a consultant for Turner Construction during its renovation of Husky Stadium.